Multiple junction box



L A. SHARP Sept. 5, 1933.

MULTIPLE JUNCTION BOX Filed July 15. 1929 6 SheetsSheet l s .E Ila NT TIN N; MW

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5 h TE am m Lnw ANN Sept. 5, 1933. SHARP 1,925,849

MULTIPLE JUNCTION BOX Filed July 13, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 5, 1933. A. SHARP MULTIPLE JUNCTION BOX Filed July 13, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 .fivlinril l I Sept. 5, 1933. L A, SHARP 1,925,849

MULTIPLE JUNCTION BOX Filed July 13, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. l5.

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L A. SHARP 1,925,849

MULTIPLE JUNCTION BOX Filed July 13, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Svwewfoz UN ZTE MULTIPLE JUNCTION BOX L Alan Sharp, Avalon, la., assignor to National Electric Products Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 13, 1929. Serial No. 378,062

12 Claims. (Cl. 247-15) is inve tion rela es to junction boxes for wherein the construction of the box is such that electrical distribution systems. p e depth y be afforded in eaeh p In electrical distributing ystems t th presment for the making of electrical connections. ent time, it is a common practice t employ ys- A further object of the present invention resides toms of underfloor conduits and certain of these in the provision o a junction bo S uc of a 60 conduits are used to carry high tension current so-called double r v r yp i which a p and other conduits are used for carrying low i y of compartments are p vi nd in whi h tension current. For example, there may be a multiple Set of Passages extend i to one Comfeeder circuits carrying electric light current and Dartment and W h in entering such comp distributing circuits branching on from the feedm n cross over multiple p a which enter. 65

or circuits which also carry relatively high potenand eXtehd into the other Compartment. tial electric light current. Then there may be t e more, provision is made for providing other feeder and branch circuits for low tension double Sets of d ultiple passages with double current. for example those circuits for telephones, Thus each compartment as tw annunciators, buzzers, bells and the like. Sets of multiple p a s W c enter it. Each 73' In the installation of conduit systems the pracs f u p passa s r sses over another set tice has generally been to distinctly locate the of u p passages ic e ter the other comhigh tension conduits and circuits with respect partmeht- In this y compactness of o co to the low tension conduits and circuits and to st u is r d and th l w t nsi n and high F maintain the same interrelation throughout the tension eohdlletolS are dis inctively separated 75 entire system. For example, assuming conduits f o o another. running relatively north and south the high ten- A further o je of the Present invention resides sion conduits might be disposed to the east or to in the provision of a multiple Compartment i ethe right of the low tension conduits. Also with tion box pr f r l but n n rily, wi a 25 conduit runs extending generally in an eastwardly g n rally q r or n l r sid c nfl raand westwardly direction the relation would be to tloh With one Compartment p d i one C rner keep the high tension conduits on the north side of the boX and with another comp isand the low tension conduits on the south side posed in another pp diagonal Corner of the with respect to each other. box and with the portions which define the cross- 30 The present invention is dir t d t the proing over passages disposed in the other corners vision of an improved multiple junction box or locations laterally away f om t Compartwhich is of compact construction which will enments. In this way all portions of the box are able the aforesaid relation of the high tension efiiciently utilized, compactness of the assembly conduits to the low tension conduits to be preis secured and exp f co s uction is mini- 35 cured and at the same time provide a construcmized. tion which will permit the crossing over of certain A further object of the present invention reconduits with respect to others without at the sides in the provision of a constructon in which same time disturbing the relative disposition of the crossing over portions are disposed remote the high and low tension conduits with respect to and away from the compartment proper to pro:-

40 each other. vide more room in the compartments than here- Another object of the present invention resides tofore and also to avoid the restriction of size of in the provision of a junction box comprising a the passages.

dual structure with one chamber or compartment A further object of the present invention refor making all low tension connections and into sides in the provision of a construction in which which all low tension conduits extend and with more compartment room is provided than hereanother chamber or compartment wholly separate tofore.

from the first in which high tension connections Another object of the present invention remay be made and into which the high tension sides in the provision of a construction in which conduits or passages may extend. Furthermore, greater passage area is provided than heretodistinctively separate closures are provided for fore. 1

each compartment. A further object of the present invention re- Further objects of the present invention reside sides in the provision of a. multiple compartment in the provision of a junction boxfor electrical junction box provided with independent access distribution systems wherein a plurality of sepaopening and closures into each of the separate 55 rate compartments are provided in the box and compartments.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of improved marker screw means for locating the ducts which lead into the box after the latter is placed in a floor.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of novel means for drawing the conductors through the compartments at angles.

Further and other objects of the present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying specification and claims and shown in the drawings, which by way of illustration show what I now consider to be a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved box with the hand hole cover piatesand associated parts removed;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the box looking from the left of Fig. 1, the view being taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the box in elevation,

the view being taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

' tional points.

Certain of the parts are shown in section in this figure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view. This. transverse section being taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a similar fragmentary transverse sectional view, the section being taken lower down in the box and substantially upon line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive are a series of detail sectional views which show the box at various see- Fig. 6 is taken substantially on lines 1L1L of Fig. 1; Fig. '7 is taken substantially on line 2L2L of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is taken substantially on line 3L-3L of Fig. 1; and Fig. 9 is taken substantially on line 4L-4L of Fig. 1.

In the above nomenclature the reference L indicates low tension. These sections have been selected particularly to show certain of the low tension conduits.

Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive are other sectional views more particularly appertaining to the high tension side of the box; Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1H1H of Fig. 1; Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 2H2H of Fig. 1; Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 3H3H of Fig. 1; and Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 4H-4H of Fig. 1.

Figs. 14 and 15 inclusive, show detail views of a cable sheave pulling attachment adapted for use with the junction box to facilitate the drawing of the conductors from one conduit or duct to another and an angle through the box;

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line 16--16 of Fig. 1 with the hand hole cover plate and associated parts in position and covering the low tension compartment.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the box comprises a unitary casting structure provided with a number of female couplings to receive conduits and duct: which extend into the couplings from the sides of the box. In enumerating the various couplings the suffix L will be given when the coupling or conduit or passage is a low tension conduit and the sufiix H will be given when the conduit or coupling or passage is a high tension conduit, coupling or passage. As shown in Fig. 1, the entering high tension conduits are enu- -merated as follows: 10H, 12H, 13H, 14H, 15H, 16H

and 17H. Of these conduits 10H, 14H and 16H are conduits of round configuration (see Figs. 1,

2 and 3). All of these conduits of round configuration enter female couplings having a like round configuration and which couplings form an integral part of the box casting. In the drawings, 18H is the coupling receiving 10H, the conduit 10H being held in this coupling by suitable set screws 19H. 20H is the coupling receiving round conduit 14H. This coupling is provided with similar set screws. Coupling 21H is the coupling which receives the round conduit 16H. All of the aforesaid round conduits and the associated couplings are disposed relatively low down in the box and in a plane below the plane of the rectangularly shaped conduits or ducts which will now be described.

the rectangular conduits or ducts which lead into the high tension side of the box are designated 12H, 13H, 15H and 17H. 12H leads in from the left at the upper level or plane entering a female coupling 22H. 17H likewise enters a coupling 23H which is also disposed upon the upper level. 13H and 15H also enter couplings 24H and 25H respectively. Thesecouplings are likewise disposed on the upper level. All of such couplings are provided with set screws similar to 19H previously described.

So far as has been described, it will be apparent that there are seven conduits which enter the high tension side of the box through the couplings H appertaining thereto. Of these seven, three are round conduits which enter a round coupling disposed upon a relatively lower plane with respect to the box and four are rectangular conduits or ducts which enter rectangular couplings disposed on an upper plane of the box.

Now referring to the low tension conduits and couplings, these comprise a round conduit 25L cooperating with the coupling 26L which is disposed upon the lower plane of the box. There is also another round conduit 27L cooperating with the coupling 28L.disposed upon the upper plane of the box and in addition there is another conduit 29L cooperating with a coupling 30L which is'also disposed on the upper plane of the box. All of such conduits 25L, 27L and 29L are of round configuration and the cooperating couplings are also round. The conduits are held in place in the couplings by similar set screw means to those previously described. The rectangular low tension conduits and couplings comprise a conduit 31L and cooperating coupling 32L, the coupling being disposed on the upper plane of the box, another conduit 33L entering a cooperating coupling 34L upon the upper plane of the box, another conduit 35L entering a cooperating coupling 36L upon the upper plane of the box and another rectangular conduit 37L entering a coupling 38L also onthe upper plane of the box. Thus for the low tension entering conduits, seven conduits enter thelow tension side of the box. Of these seven, three are of round configuration, 25L, 27L and 29L and the remainder are of rectangular configuration.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, 6 to 13 inclusive, the junction box on its interior is provided with a number of integral dividing or partition walls or portions, some of which extend vertically and others of which extend horizontally. These dividing walls or portions provide and define a number of channels or passages in the box which connect the various couplings with the open or compartment part of the junction box proper where wiring connections are to be made. Certain walls'or portions also define the various compartments in the box. Such dividing walls will now be further described.

Referring first to Fig. 5, there are vertically extending dividing walls 30 and 31, which extend up from the bottom of the box, the bottom plate being designated 32 in Fig. 2. Such walls 30 and Bldo not extend wholly up to the top of the box, but terminate about half way up merging with horizontally extending partition walls at this point. The walls 30 and 31 form the inside partition side walls of the low tension compartment LC of the box. On the high tension side of the box upon the upper level there are vertical partition walls 33, 34 (see Fig. 4) which form an upper side wall closure for the high tension compartment B0 of the junction box. Such walls 33 and 34 end at their lower ends and merge with horizontal wall portions 35 and 36, (see Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive). The horizontal wall portions 35 likewise merge with the depending vertical wall portions 31 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and the horizontal wall portions 36 also merge with the depending wall portions 30 as is shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Referring again to Fig. 5, the lower section of the box is provided also with integral vertical wall portions 37 and 38, which form separate channels which extend side by side. 3'7 defines a channel 39H extending from the high tension compartment HC of the junction box to the coupling 18H as shown. At approximately the point marked 40, the round opening from the coupling is merged and shaped into a rectangular passage and by such shaping the cross-sectional area of the round opening is substantially maintained.

As best shown in Fig. 10, the top of the channel or passage 39H is defined by the transverse wall 35. Adjacent passage 391-1 and on the opposite side of the vertical partition wall 37 is another horizontal passage of rectangular configuration designated 41H. Such passage is defined at its top also by the horizontal wall 35 and at its bottom by the bottom plate of the casting designated 32. At 42 (Fig. 11) such passage 41H sweeps in a reverse curved manner first upwardly and then outwardly, finally connecting with the coupling 22H as shown. With this passage likewise there is substantially no restriction of the passage area.

Referring now to the vertical partition wall 38 previously mentioned (see Fig. 5) such partition wall 38 defines two passages marked 43H and 441-1 respectively. Such passages 43H and 44H are defined at the top by the wall 36 (see Figs. 6, L 12 and 13) and at the bottom by 32. Passage 43H continues on out and finally merges without restriction substantially at 45 with the round coupling 21H (see Figs. 5 and 13). Passage 44H is likewise defined at its top by wall 36 and. makes a reverse curve at 47, finally terminating without restriction in the coupling 23H (see Fig. 12). Coupling 20H opens substantially directly into the compartment HC as shown in Figs. 10 and 13. Coupling 25H likewise enters substantially directly into the compartment I-IC as shown in Fig. 11 and coupling 24H enters directly as shown in Fig. 12. As shown in these figures, 20H enters the box on the lower level and 24H and 25H each enter upon the upper level. I

Figs. 10 and 11 show the entrance opening into the coupling 24H. This opening being given a reference numeral corresponding to said coupling. Fig. 11 shows the entrance opening leading to coupling 20H. The'same being given a corresponding reference numeral 20H.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 6 to 9 inclusive, the lower level coupling 26L substantially directly enters the low tension compartment LC see Figs. 6 and 9'). Coupling 32L has a short connecting passageway portion associated with it designated 50L in Figs 1 and 7 and such passageway also opens into the same low tension compartment LC of the box. Coupling 34L (see Fig. 8) has a short extension passageway 51L which passageway opens directly into the compartment LC. As shown in Figs. 4, 6, 7, 10 and 11, a vertical partition 53 is provided which at its bottom merges with the horizontal wall 35 see Figs. 10 and 11) and which at its top merges with the top wall 54 of the junction box casting. 53 forms the separating partition between two passages 55L and 56L which are defined at their top and bottom by the top wall of the junction box and by the horizontal partition 35 respectively. Passage 56L which is shown substantially rectangular in crosssection in Fig. 6 as it leaves the compartment, assumes a circular form as shown at 57L (Fig. 10) and finally emerges and joins coupling 28L (see Fig. 9). Passage 55L as is shown in Fig. 8, eventually terminates at coupling 38L.

Referring again to Fig. 4, there is also shown a vertically extending partition 60 which at its bottom merges with the horizontal wall 36 previously referred to and which partition separates two passages 61L and 62L (see Fig. 12). 61L extends from the low tension compartment L0 to coupling 36L. Passage 62L similarly extends to coupling 30L. 62L is shaped to merge from a passage having a rectangular configuration to one having a substantially round configuration as shown at 63L, Fig. 13. Passages 62L and 61L are also shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Summarizing, into the high tension compartment HC, the following passages enter, viz. 39H, 4115, 431-1 and 44H. Also extending in the high tension compartment HC by direct entrance are the couplings 24H, 20H and 25H. On the low tension side and entering the low tension compartment, there is one coupling 26L which directly enters the compartment. Besides this coupling the following passages enter this low tension compartment, 56L, 62L, 50L, 51L, 61L and 55L. All passages marked with the sufiix L are kept separated by partion walls from all passages marked with the sufiix H.

In addition, the construction is such that the high tension compartment is relatively deep extending substantially from the bottom of the box to the top thereof and a similar depth is provided for the low tension compartment. This affords ample room for the making of electrical connection splices, etc. All cross-overs are remote and away from the compartment portions of the box.

It will be understood that both the high tension compartment and the low tension compartment are provided with a cover plate structure which is of the form shown in Fig. 16. Such cover plate structure forms the subject matter of a separate application, Serial No. 376,240, filed July 5, 1929 but briefly described, it comprises a ring '70 threaded into the cover plate aperture in the box which ring receives a closure assembly generally designated 71. This cover plate can be adjusted up to the proper height to come flush with the finished floor level as fully set forth in the above copcnding application.

To facilitate leveling the box before the floor is laid, three point support leveling screws '72 shown in Fig. 2, are provided. The box is also provided with tapped openings to receive suitable spotting screws 74, Figs. 2 and 16. Such spotting screws serve to locate the duct lines in the concrete, which extend to the box.

In order to facilitate the pulling of conductors through the box and to turn the corners in pulling the conductors, preferably a boss is provided in the bottom of the low and high tension compartments such as is shown at '75 in Fig. 16. Such boss is internally threaded as shown to receive the threaded lower end 76 of a mandrel 7'7 carrying a rotatable roller or sheave 78. The mandrel '76 can be threaded into the boss and alignment maintained by a member 79 (see Fig. 15) which engages the inside groove of the assembly 71 (Fig. 16) when the cover plate 80 is removed. The mandrel 7'? on its upper end is provided with a knurled end 81 to facilitate threading it intothe boss 75. This mandrel is also threaded as shown at 82 to receive the lmurled member 83 which is adapted to be thus clamped down on the top of '79 to hold it in position. In some instances parts '19 and 83 and threads 82 can be dispensed with.

Fig. 14 shows the manner of using the sheave and shaft device for guiding conductors which are passed through the box and which turn various corners in passing through. It is obvious that it is adapted for drawing conductors from one conduit and passage to another and after the conductors have been properly drawn this sheave device may be easily removed prior to the placing of the covers on the junction box.

By utilizing the sheave device it is unnecessary in pulling the conductors to loop the same out and in of the junction compartments. Accordingly, it is possible to use smaller openings into the compartments thus obtaining compactness of construction. Furthermore the wires or conductors can be pulled by one operation instead of by a multiplicity of operations as heretofore.

The construction described heretofore, provides a particularly compact arrangement of junction box. Provision is made for crossing over certain passages or channels with respect to other passages or channels. Notwithstanding such cross-over the low tension passages are kept distinctively separate from high tension passages and in addition the desired relation of the high tension passages with respect to the low tension passages is maintained irrespective of the fact that they cross over each other.

It will be seen that the construction described comprises a multiple junction box each component junction box being distinctively separate from the other box, but both are disposed in a unitary assembly. Such assembly in addition to providing distinctively separate compartments or separate box portions. also provides for crossover of passages and at the points of such crossover the passages pertaining to one compartment are distinctively separated from the passages which appertain to the other compartment.

While I have shown a multiple box provided with at least two compartments, it is obvious that the same principles of construction could be used in multiple boxes having a greater number of separate compartmentsor boxes than two, each having associated cross-overs and couplings.

With the multiple junction box described, it, is obvious that the feederlines may enter the high tension compartment through the round conduits 10H, 14H or 16H. Thus it is unnecessary to loop the conduits around the box to bring the feeders in at a particular location as heretofore. The same applies to the other compartment also.

It is of course, not necessary that such lines he used as feeders, because they can also be used as distributing lines.

What I claim is:

1. A multiple junction box for electrical distribution systems comprising a unitary casting structure with integral wall and integral partition portions therein disposed to afford at least two distinct chambers in said box, each of which is separate from the other and eachof which extends in depth from the top to the bottom of the box whereby ample room is aiforded each compartment for the making of electrical connections, and means comprising partition portions of said box for defining at least two pairs of double channels which extend into and open into each of said compartments, one pair of relatively parallel and adjacent channels which open into one compartment being disposed to cross another pair of relatively parallel and adjacent channels which open into the other compartment.

2. A multiple junction box for electrical distribution systems comprising a unitary casting structure with unitary integral wall and partition portions therein disposed to afford at least two distinct chambers in said box, each of which is separate from the other and each of which extends indepth from the top to the bottom of the box whereby ample room is afforded each compartment for the making of electrical conn'ections, and partition walls in said box defining at least two pairs of double channels which extend and open into each of said compartments, with one double channel which leads into one compartment being disposed to cross a double channel leading into the other compartment, and a second double channel leading into the same first mentioned compartment being disposed to cross another double channel which leads into the other and second mentioned compartment.

3. A multiple junction box provided with a structure having portions to define compartments which are disposed adjacent the edges of the box and .diagonally opposite from one another and each of which extends in depth from the top to the bottom of the box, and other portions defining two pairs of superimposed and crossing passages which are disposed adjacent the edges of the box and diagonally opposite from one another and disposed at the sides of the aforesaid compartments, a pair of said passages opening into each of the aforesaid compartments.

4. A multiple junction box for electrical distribution systems comprising a unitary casting structure of substantially rectangular external shape, provided with walls and integral partitions forming two separate compartments of the full depth of the box and positioned along one diagonal of the box, the portions along the other diagonal of the box being occupied with vertical and horizontal walls and partitions, defining for each compartment two sets of multiple entry and exit ways, one set for each compartment being at an angle to the other set for the same compartment.

5. A multiple junction box for electrical distribution systems comprising a hollow box structure provided with walls and partition portions forming two separate compartments of the full depth of the box and positioned along a major dimensional line across the box, the portions along another line across the box, which other line is substantially at right angles to the first menease re tioned line being occupied with vertical and horizontal walls and partitions defining for each compartment two sets of multiple entry and exit ways, one set for each compartment being at an angle to the other set for the same compartment.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which the hollow box-like structure comprises a unitary hollow casting with integral partition portions therein.

7. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which a common horizontally disposed partition portion provides for the top wall of a set of multiple entry and exit ways which open into one compartment and the bottom wall of the said multiple entry and exit ways which enter the other compartment.

8. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which each compartment is provided with a supplemental entrance way extending through the side wall structure of the box which forms one side wall of the compartment.

9. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which the box structure is provided with corner wall portions providing external walls for each compartment and in which a supplemental entrance way is provided into each compartment through the aforesaid corner wall portion.

10. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein a certain partition portion serves commonly to provide for the side wall of one compartment and the side wall of an entrance way leading into the other compartment.

11. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which a pair of supplemental entrance ways are provided for each compartment, said supplemental entrance ways being disposed in the side walls of the compartment which are opposite to the point of entrance of the two sets of multiple entrance ways which lead into said compartment, whereby each compartment has entrance ways extending thereinto from four difierent directions.

12. The invention set forth in claim 5 in which each compartment has an access opening in its upper wall and wherein independent closures are provided for the said access openings.

L ALAN SHARP. 

